Acne Scar Treatment

Acne is a common, natural part of life, but pimples can leave behind deep scars and pockmarks. Lotions and serums alone aren’t always enough to fade acne-related discoloration and marks. If you struggle with acne scars, our Houston dermatologists have the tools you need to tone and rejuvenate your skin. We have helped countless men and women from Kingwood, Willowbrook, Pearland, The Woodlands, El Campo, and other nearby areas remove stubborn acne scars and enjoy a fresh, blemish-free face.

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Before & After Acne Scar Treatment

What Are Acne Scars?

Acne scars form after pores in the skin are engorged with oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells. When pimples, blackheads, and cysts grow, the skin becomes inflamed, leading to permanent damage and pigmentation issues.

Some people naturally scar more easily than others, and as we age, our skin becomes thinner. These factors often make acne marks appear more pronounced. If you suffer from acne scarring, it is important to have a dermatologist clear up the acne prior to treatment for the scars.

What Treatments Can Help Fade Acne Scars?

There are many treatments for acne scars, and we can determine the right course of treatment depending on the depth of the scarring. It is always best to meet with your dermatologists first to discuss which acne and acne scarring treatments are best for you! Here are a few of the options many of our patients find success with.

Mild Acne Scar Treatments

Treating acne scars in their early stages prevents most scarring from worsening over time. Topical lotions and creams, such as those containing salicylic acid, can increase cell turnover to replace scarred tissue with new skin cells.

Moderate Acne Scar Treatments

• Microdermabrasion: Dead skin cells slowly collect on the face as we constantly grow new layers of skin. As these dead cells build up, they create an uneven surface, emphasizing the appearance of scars or wrinkles. Microdermabrasion scrubs away these surface layers with special ultra-fine particles. Treatment reveals fresh, clear skin underneath and helps your face look brighter and younger.
• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): Acne scars are often noticeable because of their darker pigmentation. IPL targets this pigmentation, reducing the appearance of dark spots caused by scarring and creating a more even skin tone.

Severe Acne Scar Treatments

• Dermal Fillers: Severe acne scars often leave behind pockmarks—large divots or indentations on the face. These depressions cast shadows and make your complexion look spotty or uneven when in direct light. Dermal fillers fix this problem by plumping up the skin and directly filling in the pockmarks. When these divots are raised, they cast fewer shadows, and the skin instantly appears more even.
• Microneedling: Microneedling creates tiny micro-injuries in the scarred skin, causing the production of new collagen that helps smooth out the surface of the skin.
• Chemical Peels: Chemical peels can soften the appearance of acne scars by removing the surface layer of skin at a depth that can be adjusted with the strength of the peel. Stronger peels provide more noticeable improvements but require longer recovery time.
• Fraxel®: The Fraxel laser emits microscopic columns of laser energy that penetrate deep into the skin to stimulate the growth of new, healthy skin cells and increase collagen production. The laser treats only a fraction of the skin at a time, leaving the surrounding pinpoint areas untreated for rapid healing. 
• Laser Skin Toning: Laser skin rejuvenation is a popular way to fade even stubborn acne scars. The procedure uses laser energy to warm the middle layers of skin and prompt more collagen production. As your tissue produces more collagen, the skin naturally begins to heal and repair damage and other signs of aging. Laser skin toning can also be used to treat wrinkles, discoloration, and more.

Learn more about treating acne scars by reading this blog post.

Acne Scar Treatment FAQ

What’s the fastest way to remove acne scars?

The fastest acne scar treatment depends on the age, type, and depth of the scars and individual patient factors. What works for one patient may not work for another. Our dermatology professionals choose the most effective option that meets the patient’s availability for downtime.

Should I use retinol to help with scars?

In addition to controlling acne breakouts and unclogging pores, retinol can reduce acne scarring and redness by increasing cell turnover and the production of collagen and elastin in the skin.

Is microneedling better than lasers for hard-to-treat acne scars?

In most cases, CO2 or Fraxel laser therapy is the gold standard for treating stubborn acne scars. Microneedling is safe for all skin types and shades, making it a better choice for patients with dark skin.

How do I prevent acne scars?

The best way to prevent acne scars is to prevent future breakouts. AviClear™ is a unique laser treatment that treats mild, moderate, and severe acne breakouts and makes subsequent breakouts shorter, milder, and less frequent.

If you would like to fade your acne scars with the help of a qualified dermatologist, request a consultation at one of our Greater Houston locations. You can also contact our practice by phone to schedule an appointment.